SW New Mexico News

Several agents and specialists from New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service were recognized at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) annual session held in Tucson, Arizona, in September.

Karim Martinez, an Extension family life and child development specialist, received the Continued Excellence Award. Rick Griffiths, a San Juan County Extension FCS agent, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award.

Martinez and her team also won the national Communications Television/Video Award for their campaign "On Common Ground – Mental Health in Rural New Mexico," which addresses mental health and suicide prevention among farmers and ranchers. The team included Jeffery Buras, Matheus Cezarotto, Barbara Chamberlin, Amy Muise, Arturo Ruiloba, Tomilee Turner from Innovative Media Research and Extension; Charlene Carr; Tom Dean; Donald Martinez; and Marshal Wilson.

Dianne Christensen from Bernalillo County led a team that secured third place nationally for the Communications Internet Education Technology Award with their series "Living Well with Inflation." Team members included Griffiths, Bryce Jorgensen, Joy Czmyrid, Desaree Jimenez, and Susann Mikkelson.

Jorgensen earned four individual awards at state and regional levels. These included the Communications Radio or Podcast Award for “Financial Advice with Bryce” on KRWG Public Media; Program Excellence Through Research Award; Dean Don Felker Financial Management Award; and another Communications Television/Video Award.

Kelly Knight of Otero County highlighted that these awards demonstrate "the abilities, quality program efforts and collaborative teamwork" of NMSU's Extension professionals.

Griffiths was acknowledged as outgoing NEAFCS president while Christensen began her term as president-elect during the session. The event provided professional development opportunities to enhance skills necessary for serving communities effectively.

Knight added that attendees gained valuable knowledge about Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum to better serve individuals, families, and communities. NEAFCS focuses on improving quality of life through education in various domains including food safety, financial management, healthy lifestyles, home environment safety, relationship skills, and parenting.